iSimangaliso: Conservation must drive jobs, growth
The CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority says nature-based tourism and conservation efforts must go hand-in-hand with socio-economic development.
Siboniso Bukhosini says a key part of their strategy is creating tourism-linked job opportunities for nearby communities.
He says this not only supports the local economy but also helps ensure the long-term sustainability of protected areas.
" We have created what we call coexistence,” Bukhosini told an international workshop in northern KZN on Monday.
“People appreciate conservation, not because they are seeing these big cars pulling trailers, but they are seeing benefits that they are ripping from these areas. Then we are talking conservation."
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Bukhosini said that while they do face challenges with local communities, most people now understand why looking after nature is important.
" We still do have some elements of poaching, but at least because people understand that if they poach, it means that there are no tourists who are coming. If tourists are not coming, it means that there is no linen to wash the following day. If there is no linen to wash the following day, it means that there is no guaranteed food on the table the following day.
“So that's how we create the coexistence. But at the same time, whilst doing that, we are ensuring that we don't lose our rhino."
The Global Wildlife Program and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment are hosting the four-day event in the town of Mkuze.
Representatives from 20 countries are attending.
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